Employment in Canada fell by 43,200 jobs in October, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by Statistics Canada. Most of the losses were in part-time employment, which fell by 59,700. That more than offset job gains of 16,500 in full-time employment.

Canada's unemployment rate rose to 8.6% from 8.4%.

Employment in Ontario fell by 12,000 jobs in October to approximately 6.5 million. The province gained 3,200 full-time jobs but lost 15,200 part-time jobs. Ontario's unemployment rate edged up to 9.3% in October from 9.2% in September.

Saskatchewan posted the lowest unemployment rate among all provinces at 5.3%.

Also today, the Ottawa Citizen newspaper reported that Ontario Bill 139 putting new regulations on temporary staffing firms in Ontario comes into effect today. The staffing industry has raised concerns about the impact of the bill.

Some provisions in the bill, according to reports, include a prohibition against fees to temporary workers, a prohibition against conversion fees after a temporary worker has been at a client for six months and rules prescribing when severance and termination must be paid temporary workers.

The bill also adds rights for independent contractors, according to the Ottawa Citizen's report.